Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-01
CITY AND DISTRICT.
s'CHARLIE,, CLARK DEAD.
A Character Well-KnOwn to the Police
Passes AWay-The Eccentric COnducs
of the Legless Old Soldier.


A Character Well-Knovvn to the Police
Passes Axvay-The Eccentric Conduct
of the Legless Old Soldier.
''Charlie" Clark one of the best known char
acters at the Police Court died at the Washington
asylum yesterday morning OF exhaustion. The de-
ceased was well-known to the police here and in
other cities, for he had peculiar aptitude for
making the acquaintance of the peace guardians.
Charlie" was an old soldier and had lost both
legs He drew quarterly pension OF $216 and at
the time Of his death had check in his pocket for
that amount. He was a native Of sweden, and
was nfty-seven years OF age. One OF his favortte
habits was to walk along Pennsylvania avenue
and with his clue go through the manual Of arms,
and assault any person who laughed at him. He
would soon fall in the hands Of the police and
wind up in the dock at the Police Court and often
or workhouse, because he was broke"
having lla,i s9uandered his pension money
His first appearance before Judge Smell at the old
court building on C street was shortly after the
court was established. He then wore one cork leg
and walked with crutches The court gave 1udg-
ment against him, but he unable to pay the
fine: He said he had friends in the Interior De-
with him he would give him the ''V,' the amount
of the tine. Mr.. Jno Rhodes OF the district attor-
n Teys oilise kindly i consented to 60 with him
that the Old soldier had lost his credit among his
FORMER friends and they refused to give or loan
him the money; he became very profane and re-
FUSED to go back to court. MIR. Rhodes argued with
him. but argument was Of no avail. He refused to
go back to again be placed behind the bars and
sent to the workhouse. He sat upon the noor, and
took off his wooden leg to fight of the court Off
GER The officer, seeing he could not get the pris-
it. The Department clerks took pity on him, and
collected the $ and the legess man was set at
liberty.
PERIODICAL FRoLICs.
70 Ial,
ally day or two after drawing his pension Of
So per month. After drawing his pension he
would hire a hack get in two or three companions
and visit saloon in the county, the Soldiers
Home. Then he, with his companions and hack
driver, would drink. On their way home 1t was
the delight OF the old soldier 10 make OF the
men put his legs out OF the hack window to lead
the police believe that they were "body snatch
ers, or grave robbers. The station house was
usually the winding up place. His three months
pension money (so16) would be gone, and the next
erty. From experience the judge found that he
was honest. and would usually give him time in
Which TO pay his fine.
DISTURBING WAKE.
One cold night, two or three winters ago. one of
his comrades living in the county, on the 9TH
street road died, and the old soldier went to the
awake" 1t was bitter cold night, and the snow
was several inches deep. He conducted himself
peaceably during the early part OF the night, but
later he became troublesome He was invited to
leave, but declined. With his crutch he cleared
the house OF the mourning friends OF the deceased
and the police were sent for. Half an hour later
the officers arrived and found him 'sholding the
FORT He was placed under arrest, and as usual,
he resisted. He was carried by the officers for
nearly quarter OF a mile TO the road and then
they asked him to walk. Again he refused to
move, and after standing In the road some time
the officers suffered SO much from the cold that
they were compelled to carry him the balance OF
the way, more than Ia mile. to the station house.
The Old soldier finally fOuno it convenient to give
up wearing the one wooden leg, SO he laid 1t aside
m
about. He delighted, 1t is stated. In tantal1zing
children, and Was once arrested on that account
chased an old broken pistol and, going along the
streets, he would catch a small colored boy and
point f Inc pistol y; at nW Al the co,ored children
were afraid OF him, and his presence on the street
would at any time rid the street OF children.
AN EARLY MORNING CONCERT.
While occupying room in South Washington
he went home one Saturday night, taking with
him two companions. On their way home he pur-
chased several musical instruments, and about 2
O'Clock sunday morning, when The trio arrived
at The room, they gave free concert, which was
not much enjoyed by the neighbors AS usual
the police were sent for and with some dirficuity
the Old soldier and his companions were relieved
OF the musical Instruments, aud the quiet OF the
nelghDOrhood was again restored.
TAKING POSSESSION OF A DRUG STORE
On another occasion, one cold night, he went
into an East Washington drug store about the time
for closing the store and asked permission Of the
stOrekeeper to warm himself. His request was
granted but was soon revoked. Once in the drug
gist found it hard to get him out He began tax
Ing from his pocket articles OF food and bottles
cont aiming liquors and medicines and spread his
table ON the show case. The druggist argued with
hin and eveE Onered him inducements TO go but
he was too far from home on such cold night
The druggist started to put him out but the man
without legs took hold OF a show case and threat
enened to upset IL IL troubled, and things went
on until an early hour the next morning when an
officer put in his appearance and ended the drug
g1st S troubles.
DIED WITHOUT SIGNING HIS WILL
Before his death Clark sent for Samuel Arnold,
one OF the employees OF the asylum and requested
him to make out a will, which Mr. Arnold, did in
pencil. Mr.. Arnold LEFT the sick man to COPY the
Will In ink but when he returned for his signature
the patient was too i'll to sign the paper and he
died shortly afterward. His remains win be
buried in the Congressional Cemetery tomorrow.
st. Mary's school,.